Color-television system



June 28, 1960 B. D. LOUGHLIN COLOR-TELEVISION SYSTEM Original Filed Jan. 22, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 28, 1960 B. D. LouGHLlN COLOR-TELEVISION SYSTEM Original Filed Jan. 22, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 m L oN @E Rw UNE mw www-u aNd-u m m WL. D mm\N amb \N m WD R A m E B n x @QN x w \N MU IPI-p 0 IIIIIIIIIIIIII I moBPEQ Q n lmnozorozrw i c "n I lv 65u55 o um .6302Q .ml En am DCN n uw .M m+ Q @E n .1 llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll III ATTORNEY June 28, 1960 B. D. LouGHLlN COLOR-TELEVISION SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Jan. 22, 1951 ONm n( mm INVENTOR. BERNA RD D. LOUGHLIN ATTORNEY June 28, 1960 B. D. LouGHLlN 2.943.142

coma-TELEVISION SYSTEM original Filed Jan. 22, 195i s sheets-sheet 4 BERNARD D.LOUGHLIN ATTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. BER NARD D. LOUGHLIN ATTORNEY D w o 1,2205

June 28, 1960 B. D. I oUGHLlN coLoRJrELEvIsIoN SYSTEM 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed Jan. 22, 1951 United States Patent M Coton-TELEVISION SYSTEM Continuation of application Ser. No. 207,154, Jan. 22,

1951. This application Apr. 22, 1957, Ser. No. 654,421 t General The present invention relates, in general, to colortelevision systems and, particularly, to such systems in which color information relating to an image is translated from one component of the system to another effectively as time-sequential modulation signals of a subcarrier wave signal. The invention has specic application to the latter such systems in which color errors occur in an image reproduced from signals related to the translated signals when the device at the receiver for deriving the related signals is not in proper phase relation to the device at the transmitter for effecting the time-sequence modulation of the wave signal. `A particular form of the .invention relates to aV signal-translating system for re- =ducing the effects of such color errors.

This application is a continuation-in-whole of application Serial No. 207,154, filed Jan.` 22, 1951, now abandoned.

In one form of a color-television system to which the present invention relates and which isfmore fully described in the RCA Review for December, 1949, vol. X, pages S04-52.4, inclusive, and in United States Patent .No. 2,774,072, color signals individually representative "of the basic colors, specifically green, red, and blue, of a vcolor image are developed at a transmitter. Components l-of these color signals are applied to a time-sequential 'modulation system effectively to modulate, in a prede- '.termined phase sequence, a subcarrier wave signal also :applied to the modulator. The modulated subcarrier wave signal, designated as the composite color signal, has :a predetermined carrier frequency and has amplitude and jphase characteristics related to the color-signal charac-V teristics. Specifically, the subcarrier'wave signal is moduflated at 120 intervals bysuccessive ones of the three scolor signals relating to the green, red, and blue characteristics of the image. Y brightness of the image is also developed at the transmitter. The composite color signal and the brightness signal A signal representative of the .are then combined and transmitted in a conventional The receiver in such a system intercepts the transmitted :signal and derives the composite color signal and bright- :ness signal therefrom. The modulation components of the composite color signal are sequentially detected by :a deriving means which is designed to operate in syn- I'chronism and in proper phase relation with the modulating means at the transmitter. It is intended that the deriving means develop in the output circuit thereof colorsignal components which correspond, in all of theirimportant characteristics, with the components utilized tosov .subcarrier wave signal.

HCC

Patented -June '28; 1960i There has also been described in United States Patent No. 2,773,929 an improvement on the system just described wherein the color-signal components at the transmitter modulate the subcarrier wave signal at 0, `9(} and 180 phase positions with respect to the phase of the'y In such a system, since thel signals are in quadrature relationship and two'of the signals are inversely related, the modulation and deriving equipments are simplified. These and other advantagesl are described in the patent referred to immediately above.

In the systems just described, as has been stated, the deriving means at the receiver shouldoperate, for each of the derived components, at a phase or time related to a corresponding phase or time of the modulation means at the transmitter. Very complexcircuit arrangements have been proposed and utilized to effect such proper relationship of phase in the two means. Though advances' have been made, the complexity of the equipment utilized has been increased and the material limitations of the? equipmentv involved still cause phase errors to occur so'.

that the deriving means at the receiver may not exactly maintain the desired phase relationship between it and the modulating means at the transmitter. Such phase errorsare undesirable since any errors in phase at the deriving means cause cross talk or intermodulation of the modula-l tion color-signal components tok appear in the derived components. This undesired intermodulation results Ain the reproduction of improper-colors in the reproducedV image and hence a reproduced color image which does not-V faithfully represent the televised image. p Y There are causes other than out-of phase operation of themodulating means and deriving means in a colortelevision system which may cause the phase errors just discussed to be developed, which errors no degree of precision in the relative timing of these equipments can prevent. More specically, if the channel through which the composite color signal is translated does not have vuniform amplitude and phase translation characteristics about the mean frequency of the composite signal, amplitude and phase errors will be developed in the components of the s side band of the receivedlcomposite color signal. Such nonuniform characteristics may result from band-width limitations or echoes in the transmission path. These phase errors cause cross talk between components of the composite color signal which in turn result in the reproduction of an inferior image. It is the purpose ofthe? present invention to diminish the eifects o f such phase errors, regardless of the manner in which they are d eveloped, in a reproduced color image. A

It is an object of the present invention, therefore,`to provide a new and improved color-television system which avoids the aforementioned limitations of prior systems` of' the type described. Y

It is another object of the present invention to providey a new and improved color-television system inlwhich the effect of intermodulation between color-signal components is substantially reduced inthe reproduced image. i

It is still another object of the present Vinvention lto provide a new and improved color-television.systeminI which the elfect of phase errors resulting from improperrv timing between the color wave-signal modulator at'the transmitter and the color wave-signal deriving means a't` the receiver is substantially reduced.V I i It is still a .further object of the present invention tov provide in a color-television system a new and improved signal-translating system'in which the effect of inter-fV modulation between color-signal components is substan-A tially reduced in an image reproduced therefromf 'f It is also an object of the present inventionto provide It is still an additional object of the present invention]V to provide, in a color-television system of the type in which the signals related to the color characteristics of an image do not affect the visual brightness of the reproduced image, a new and improved color-television receiver which avoids the need for manual 'control ofthe hues of the reproduced image.

In accordance with a particular form of the inyention, in a color-television receiver for'translating a received subcarrier wave signal periodically modulated in different phase sequences by colorfsignal components which are representative of the color characteristics of an image to be reproduced,a signal-translating systern comprises circuit means for supplying' the modulated subcarrier` Wave signal; The system alsofincludes :dee tecting means coupled to the supply circuit means for d eriving from the modulated subcarrier wave signal signals individually related to the color-signal components and means coupled to the detecting means forcausing `the detecting means to derive the related'signals in two phase sequences, whereby 'the color fidelity of the image to be. reproduced'is improved.

Also in accordance with the invention, in a colortelevision transmitter, a signal-translating system comprises means for developing a plurality of color signals individually representative o f the color characteristics of an image, means for developing a subcarrier wave signal, andmeanscoupled to the signal-developing means formodulating the subcarrier wave signal by components of the color signals in two phase sequences.

@For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and furtherobjects thereof, reference is -had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will bel pointed out in the appended claims.

' In the drawings:`

Figs. 1 and 5 are schematic diagrams together representinga color-television system infaccordance with -one form of the invention, Fig. 1 representing a receiver thereof 4and Fig. 5 representing a transmitter thereof;l

Eig. ',1`a is a more complete schematic diagram of one of the units of Fig. 1;

Figs. 2a-2e, inclusive, are vector diagrams useful in explaining the operation of one of the units of the deriving means of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 7 are schematic diagrams of modifiedforms of a'portion of the receiver of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 isa circuit diagram, partially schematic, of a modification of a portion of the receiver of Fig. 1, and Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a modificationV of. the transmitter of Fig.`5.

General description of receiver of Fig. 1

translating system in accordance with one form of the.

invention; This` receiver intercepts signals transmitted from a color-television transmitter, to be described more fully hereinafter, and translates a received composite color signal which 'is developed by a combining means at a transmitter from Vcolor-signal vcomponents which are representative of the color characteristics Yof an image and whichare combined in'a recurrently changing phase sequence. The receiver includes a radio-frequency amplilier 10 of one or more stages having an input circuit coupled to'an antenna system 11, 171. Coupledl in casi cade with the output circuit of the amplier`10, in the order named, are an oscillator-modulatorlZ, an intermediate-frequency ampliiier''IS of one`or more stages, a detector and automatic-gain-control (AGC) circuitf14;

a signal-translating system 15 in accordance with the prescnt invention and ,to be described more fully hereinafter, and a color image-reproducing device 16 preferably of the cathode-ray tube type. The device 16 may comprise three conventional cathode-ray tubes individually responsive to different color signals and an optical system for combining the imagesappearing on the image screens of these tubes into one color image or may comprise a single 'tube having separateV cathodes'individually -responsive'to the different color signals and an arrange ment 'for' directingthe `beams from the separate cathodes onto suitable color phosphors. The latter type ofitu'be is more fully described in an Varticle entitled fGeneral Description of Receivers for `the Dot-Sequential Color Television System Which Employ Direct-View Tri-Color Kinescopes in theRC'A Review for June 1950, at pages 228-232, inclusive.

There is also coupled 7to an output circuit of the detector 14 a synchronizing-signal separator 17 having output circuits connected to' horizontal and vertical beamdetlecting'jwindings in the device 16 through a line-free quency generator'lS and afield-fre`quency generator 19, respectively. Other output circuits of the separator 1.17 are coupled to pairs of'termin'als 2li, 20 and 21, 21 in the system"15 for a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter. The output circuit of the (AGC) supply included in the unit 14 is connected to the input circuits of one or more 4of the tubes of the radio-frequency amplitier 10, the oscillator-modulator 12, and the intermediate-frequency amplifier 13 in a well-known manner.A

Asound-sign'al reproducing unit 22 is also connected to the 'output' circuit of the'intermediate-frequency ampliiier 13 and may include one or more stages of intermediate-frequency amplification, a sound-signal detector,

one r more stages of audio-frequencyv ar'nplitication',` and a sound-reproducing device.

It will be understood that except for the unit 15 the various"units thus'far ldescribed with respect to the receiverjof'Fig. 1 may have'any conventional construction anddesign, the detailsof such`units being well known in lthe art rendering a further description thereof' unnecessary." A

general operation of receiver of Fig. 1

Considering briefly the operation of the receiver of Eig. las a whole and assuming for the moment that the unit. 1 5 is a conventional'device for deriving from a composite color sig'nal, color-'signal components related to thebasic color characteristics of the televised image, a desired'rnqdulated television wave signal is intercepted bythe antenna system 11, 11. The signal is selected and amplified' iri the` radio-frequency amplifier 10 and applied t0 the oscillator-modulator 12 wherein it is converted in to an intermediate-frequency signal. The intermediatefrequency signal is then selectively amplified inthe am'plicr 13 and applied to` the detector 14 wherein its rodulation. components 'are drived Of thesecomponen'ts, at least the composite color signal is applied to the unit 15 wherein the brightness'and-color-signal components'are derived therefrom and individually combined to develop colonsignals representative of the basic color characteristics ofthe. televised image. These' color signals are applied to suitable control' electrodes of the cathode-ray tube or cathode-'ray tubes in the device 16 to modulate the electron' beam in' each tube.v The 'synchronizing-signal components'of the received signal are separated from the'othe'r components thereof in the unit 17 and are util lized tosynchronize the operation of the line-frequency and `tieldfreq1iency generators 18 and 19, respectively, color-synchronizing signals being applied to terminals 20, 2Q: and 21, 211 'The generators 18 and 19 supply sig'nals' of` saw-tooth wave form which are properly synchronized with 'reference to' 'the' transmitted 4television sign-and applied te medeacfron Warnings` of diecast;

@sans of the horizontal and vertical deflection of the beam orY beams and the intensity modulation thereof together with those elements of the device 16 which combine the effects of the beams related to the different color-signal components result in the reproduction of a color image of the subject being televised.

The automatic-gain-control or (AGC) signal derived inV the unit l14 is effective to control the amplification of one or more of the units 10, 12, and 13 to maintain the signal input to the detector 14 and to the sound-signal reproducing unit 22 within a relatively narrow range for a wide range of received signal intensities.

The sound-signal modulated wave signal related to the desired television wave signal is also intercepted by the antenna system 11, 11 and effectively translated through the units 12 and 13 and applied `to the unit 22. In the unit 22, it is amplified and detected to derive the soundsignalv modulation components which are thenfurther amplified and utilized to reproduce in a conventional manner the sound related to the televised image.

Description of signal-translating system of Fig. 1

Referring now in particular to the signal-translating system 15 embodying one form of the present invention, this may comprise a signal-translating channel including a -4 megacycle filter network 23 coupled in series with `an isolation amplifier 24 between a pair of input terminals 25, 25 and, effectively, a plurality of output.

terminals 26a, V25157260, 26d, though such units might be separate from the signal-translating system and be included as other portions of the receiver. The isolation amplifier 24 may be of any conven-tional type arranged to develop similar but isolated signals in the individual output circuits thereof and may, as will be seen hereinafter, be effectively included as part of the image-reproducing device 16 when a portion thereof performs a` 28b, and 28C to related ones of the terminals 26a, 26h,

and 26C. Detectors of a type suitable for use as units 27a, 27b, and 27e will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to Fig. 4. The networks 28a and 28h each have a pass band of substantially 0-1 megacycle ywhile the network 28e has a pass band of substantially 0-O.5 megacycle. A 2.5-4 megacycle filter network 29 and an amplifier 30 are coupled in series between the terminals 25, 25 and input circuits of the detectors 27a, 27b, 27e.

The system 15A also includes means coupled to the deriving means arranged to maintain the deriving means in substantially synchronous relation with 4and at substantially a desired phase relation with the combining means at the 'transmitter and to cause the deriving means effectively to derive the related signals in one phase sequence. This means comprises a color wave-signal generator 31 having an input circuit coupled to the terminals 21, 21 and an output circuit coupled directly to an input circuit of the detector 27a. It also comprises delay networks or lines 32a and 32b coupled to the output circuit of the unit 31 and, through a switching circuit 33 to be described more fully hereinafter, individually to input circuits of the detectors 27b and 27C. The generator 31 is arranged to develop either independently or under the control of a signal applied thereto through the terminals 21, V21a wave signal related in synchronism, and phase-A h K The delayU hues 32a and 32b are proportioned respectively to have' to a similar wave signal at the transmitter.

"delay periods of. 120 and 2405i of a cycle of the developed inthe generator 31.v n v The system 15 includes a control device, specifically the switching circuit 33, arranged recurrently to cause the deriving means effectively to derive the related signalsin" another phase sequence. Essentially the switching cir cuit 33 is an electronic switching device having the characteristics of a double-pole double-throw, reversing switch. A control means for the switching circuit 33,` included therein and described more fully with respect' to Fig. la, is coupled to the input terminals 20, y20. The" switching circuit 33 is arranged periodically, specifically on every other image field, alternately to reverse the order of connection of the delay lines 32a or 32b-to individual input circuits of the detectors 27b and 27C in synchronism with aV corresponding operation at theV related transmitter. A more complete representation of a type of switching circuit 33 is provided by Fig. l'a and this will now be described in more detail.

The circuit of Fig. 1a includes a control means, preferably multivibrator 34, having an input circuit coupled to the terminals 20, 20 and having at least a pair of output circuits. The switching circuit of Fig. 1a also includes a plurality of electronic switching devices, specif-l ically gating tubes 35a, 3511, 35C, and 35d individually having two operating conditions, being conductive or substantially nonconductive. One of the output circuits of the multivibrator 34 is connected tosirnilar control electrodes 36a and 3611 of the gat-ing tubes 35a and-Sblthe other output circuitbeingl connected to related con-Y trol electrodes 35e and 36d of the gating tubes 35a` and 35d ythereby alternately in pairs toV cause the tubes 35d, 35band 35C, 35d to be conductive. The delay line32a is coupled to control electrodes 37brand'37c vof the tubes Y,

35b and y35C, respectively, while the delay Iline 3211 is coupled to control electrodes 37a and 37d ofthe tubes,

35a and 35d; respectively. The detector 27b is connected to anode electrodes 38b and 38d of the tubes, 35b and The multivibrator circuit 34 may be of a conventional type arranged to operate in different modes in alternate fields. spacing of the equalizing and broad field pulses with relation to the line-synchronizing pulses differs on alter-A nate fields. The line-synchronizing pulse coincides with an equalizing or field pulse in one field and there is no such coincidence in the next field. Therefore, the multivibrator circuit may be arranged torespond to a line-- synchronizing pulse and a specificV field or equalizing pulse when they coincide during the one group offields, thus operating in one mode in response thereto and to operate in another mode when the pulses do not coincide thereby effecting the desired switching.

' Explanation of operation of signal-translating system of Fig. 1

In explaining the operation of the signal-translating system Y15 of Fig. l, for purposes of brevity and clarity,

the operation of the system will first be explained with the delay line 32a effectively connected to the detector 27b andthe delay line 32b effectively connected to the' detector 27C. When so connected, the system 15 is similar to a related system described in United States Patent No. 2,774,072.

Referring now to the system 15 of Fig. 1, video-v frequency signals including brightness components 'and In an odd-line interlaced system the timing or' lated thtotgh thenetwafk 12.3 and anplitsd ntie vait- 2'4`." Tlieam'pli'ed 0-4 me'gaeyele components are developed ,three isolatedA output circuits in the unit .24 aid'individally applied t'tlleterminels A641., .2.612, auf! The 2-514 Inf/asocia nation 0f the vidtorfreaueacy Signal applied to the' terminals 25. ,25, comprising the composite colorfsignal comporrent thereof is selected and tr "flated through 'the network 29, amplified in the unit 3 andy applied toinput circuits in the deteotors 27g, '2'.7b. ZlcMSince thefte'l'evi'sion ysystem of'which the signal,- tr'anslating "systemA 15 is a partis of a type that utilizes suppressed subcarriler'transmislsion'for the color-signal components, the subcarrie wave signal related tofthe deler-.Signal cQriipQne ts is niested ai the fessi-ver by. the gaefatp 3.1? 112s' .seventy and phase 0f the Signal delgp'ed in the generator 31 is controlled. by 21 Signal derived in` 'the synchronizing-signal separator 17 and applied to'theigenefrator 31 through the terminals v21, so that the signal .deYlQPeft in th'e'sgenerator'Sl is related if; frequencyand phase 'to the color subcarrier wave signal deyelopedat the transmitter. The signal developed in the generator 3,1 is appliddirectly Vto the detector 27g, but is applied through the; delay line 32a with a delay of 120 inthe phase thereof Vtothe detector 27b and through the d elay line 32h with a delay O f 240 in phase to the dfectgta The signal arplied. t0 the 'dtestent 2.741, Zugfahrt je fromthefgenerator 31 controls the sequence ofoperation of these d tectorsiso that the detector 27a; derivesfthose modul ion,v components of thecomposite color signal applied tlzier'eto which are in phase with corresponding prtious of thesignaldeveloped in the generato'r, 3,1.""I`l1e` detectors 2712 and 274e d erive those moclu# lation comp'onentsf.of composite color signal applied thereto which are at effectively 120 and 240 phase positin, respeetiveli, 0f, the` 05.101. 4Wave signal. Thus, the seq ene'of'operation of `the detectors 27a, 21h, and 27e islin Ttheorder of their mention.

detector 2 1@ isar'r'anged to derive `the colorfsignalcomponent related toene-Of the`ba'sic colors of the televisedimagg specifically the green color thereof, and the. 0-.1A 'megacyclerportions of -these derived signals are then translate@ through 'fhlef'netvtatk 2t@ and applied' t0 the termi al"Qdiwherein'theyfcombine with the brightness components translated th'rOl-lgh the.' amplifier 24 to develop a color signal which represents the green coloringof the televised image. Similarly, the detector 27b derives those: components relatedl'to; the' red color of the televised image and detector 2L7c drives `those components related tothe. blue; color of4 the televised image.V Since the color contribution. of blue in 4the reproduced image is of a low order, V'only the OVOI5Vn1egayle portion of the componentsrelated to. blue4 needihe translated-through the net-` work" 2 8cfan'd applied to the terminal 26C. The green, red, bluefcolprr signalts'on the terminals` 26g, 26h, and respectivelyjare applied to individual input circuits, in the image-reproducirfig device 16 therein to combine to reproduce the color image1 in, the. manner previously described. l l l i l The problems created by the type of synchronous detection o1; time-sequt'entalA detection just described and their solution by means of Aan arrangement in accordance with the;pt 'ebsenlti inyentionlmay be. more fully understood by refererreeto tlnjvectotf diagrams of Figs. Zar-2e, inclusive.

I-or purposes of, explanation, it will be assumed/that. the, signals, developed Vat the transmitter and intercepted by,the reeiyen are ofna type described in the article previously referred to. appearing in the December 1949 issue offthe. RCA Review." The television` signals comprise brightness or monochrome components and` color-signal components. In such a systemv the monochrome component-is defined as follow'sg" A' n v t=afttelif+1ea (ot cos a. term is very close to unity and to the extent that G, R, and B individually represent the color signals related respectively to the green, red, and blue charac teristis of the televised image Also, in the RCA system being described, the peak amplitude of the subarrier wave signal developed at the transmitter, when modulated by a saturated color-signal component, is two-thirds that of the signals derived in the output circuits ofthe cameras. Thus, components of the subcarrier wave signal having the peak amplitudes %G, %R, and 2/sB occur at the 0, V120 and 240 phase points of the wave signal and are represented by Fig. 2a.

Since there are only two degreesI of freedom, specifically freedom in amplitude and freedom in phase for a sine type of wave signal of a given frequency, the vector diagram represented by Fig. 2al may be represented by Fig. 2b as va quadrature-type vector diagram having the vectors X and Z The trigonometric relationship of the signals represented b y the vector diagrams of Figs. 2a and 2b will be seen more fully hereinafter. It is seen by an examinatiton of Fig. 2b that when the receiver color-signal detecting means operates to derive the component occurring at 0 with respect to the color wavesignal frequency, that is to derive the component related to'the green characteristic ofthe image, the following sig'- nal is obtained:

Similarly, in quadraturewith X, the vector Z is defined:

Such derivedsignals may be called color-ditercuce sig-` nalssince they represent the color signal minus the mon chrome signal. At a later point in the circuit by combinllg the color-difference signal with the monochrome signal the proper color signal will be obtained. Thus:

` (Ci-M)+M=G (4) The above analysis indicates the composition of a sig nal derived when the deriving means at the receiveris in phase with the modulating means 'at the transmitter. If

the4 depriving means does not bear such phase relationship to` rrrodulating means but is out of phase therewith. as..

proportions of the vectors. X4 and Z. Thus it would have a composition; as follows: (G-M1) =X1=c-osy 0(2/3 G-laR-laB) -lsin @(0,866) (%R'%l9)` (5), It is, seen. that if the misphasing angle 9- is small, the

cost? differs fromru'nity, the cosine portion of the Equation Sindicatos merely-some desaturation of the derived-cornponent-` causing a desaturation of the corresponding color.

The. sine term of the Equation 5 is the most important" andY createsi the greatest` problem since even`A when the angle 0. is. small this ,term indicates a significant amount of color-signal cross` talk inthe derived component4 causf ing. a c olor shift in the color reproduced. Calculations Y usingE'quations l, 4, andS will show that when there is ,l

approximately a 10 degree misphasing between the deriving means and themodulating means, thereV is` approximately 10%.crosstalk between the color-signal components.' It4 is `theV elimination ofthe effect of the, sinetenn,

that is ,desired in,l order, to diminishthe eiectstof misphasingbetween the deriving' means and thei modulating,-

means.

,9a cmplished. Fig. 2d is similar to Fig. 2a' except for the fact that the vectors relating to the red and blue colors are interchanged indicating that the color-signal components are now derived in a different sequence. vBecause of this interchange of vectors, the vectors X and Z of Fig. 2e have a different relationship to each other from ythose of Fig. 2b. The vector Z' is dened:

The change in sequence of derivation of the color com-v ponents as indicated by Fig. 2d now causes the vector X1 of Fig. 2c to have the following composition:

X1=Cos 6(2/sG-1aR-1/3B) -l-sin @(0866) (VSB-JAR) (7) It is seen that the initial or cos term of the Equation 7 is similar to the initial or cos 0 term of the Equation 5 and that the desaturation of the color relating to the derived signal is still present but is not considered to be too objectionable. It is also seen lthat the sine terms of the Equations 5 and 7 `are such as to cancel each other thereby effectively eliminating the color shift `caused by misplrasing between the deriving means and the modulating means. l

The' above explanation has been presented with relation -to the derivation of the component relating to the green color. It is to be understood that similar eifects occur With respect to the components relating to the red and blue colors. Nevertheless, the periodic change in the sequence of the derived components effectively canblue colors. .This cancellation occurs ina manner similar to that with respect to cross talk into Vthe channel translating the signal related tothe green color as 'described in detail above. f

The circuit for effecting the periodic change in the sequence of derivation is the switching circuit 33. Referring now tothe operation of the circuit of Fig. la, signals related to the field-scanning Vand line-scanning frequencies are Iapplied to the multivibrator 34 to cause it to develop control signals related to alternate fields which are utilized to cause the unit 34 to operate in one of two stable operating conditions during any one field and in the other of the stable operating conditions during the successive lield. When operating in one of such conditions, the gating tubes 35a and 35h are caused -to be conductive, the tubes 35C and 35d remaining nonconductive, thereby eifectively coupling the delay line 32b to the detector 27C and the delay line 32a to the detector 27b. Such a condition continues for the one field and color errors caused by misphasing of the detectors 27a, Y27b, 27e may occur during that field as defined, for the derived component relating to green, by the Equation 5 above. During the next field, the multivibrator 34 switches to its second stable operating condition causing the tubes 35a and 35b to be rendered nonconductive and the tubes 35C and 35d to become conductive. The delay line 32a is thus effectively coupled to the detector 27C and the delay line 32b is coupled to the detectorl 27b so that the sequence of oper-ation of the detectors Z7b and'27c is reversed, thereby deriving the components in the sequence represented by Fig. 2d. Such reversal during the subse-v quent ield results in a reversal of the color error, as indicated by the Equation 7. The eye is capable of integrating the color or the chromaticity of an image lover the two vadjacent lines formed by the two fields and thus a resulting from a combination of the basic coltisrivvill` demonstrate that problems of improper color reproduction with respect to such colors due to misphasing of the detectors are also solved by periodically changing the sequence in which the color-signal components are derived.

In a system such as that represented by Fig. 1 there will be some ilicker between these two lines apparent to the eye since the eye is more sensitive to the brightness'` K variations occurring on the two lines than to the color changes. Nevertheless, ina color image reproduced from the color signals relating tothe green, red, and blue char- Description of signal-translating system of Fig. 3

Referring now to Fig. 3 of the drawings, a signal-translating system there represented is somewhat similar to the system 15 of Fig. 1 and, therefore, similar components have been designated by the same reference numerals with the addition of thereto. A system such as that representedby Fig. 3 is more fully described in United States Patent No. 2,773,929 referred to above.

of system since changes in composite color signalsdo not produce changes in thevisual brightness of the repron duced image. n g l Y The Vessential' ydifference between the system of Fig. 3

and that of Fig. 1 relates `to the phase relationship of the modulation components of the composite color-signal component. `Whereas in the system of Fig. l such com-V' ponents have the relationshipY of 0, 120, and 240, in the system of rFig.` 3 such components have the relationship ofV 0, 90, and 180. Also, in the system of Fig. 3, since it is well known that blue contributes very little to the brightness of an image as the eye is relatively insensitive to blue as compared to its sensitiveness to red and green, the brightness or monochrome component is composed only of green and red components. Though such a system is not thoroughly in accordance with the theory which defines the monochrome component as being composed of varying amounts of green, red, and blue components, such a system is simple as well as practical and is described herein to describe the invention with relation to systems of such type.

The brightness or monochrome component utilized in the latter system in view of the above discussion has the following composition:

and does not include any of the blue color signal. color-difference signal at 0 phase is arranged to be:

From the Equation 9 it is seen that the signal at 180 is 2(G-M). The signal at 90 .is k(B-M) where k is a desired gain factor such as 2/a which will be used hereinafter.' In view of' these relationships, assuming that the red color-difference component is the component derived at 0 and is V180 out of phase with the green colorsignal component derived at a common synchronous detector may be utilized for both. One signal, spe- Y.cifically ,R-M, is utilized as derived and the other,

specifically G-M, is developed from the R-M signal by means of a phase inverter. Thus, referring now to Fig. 3; a phase inverter 40 is coupled to an output circuit of the iilter network 28a. Since varying amounts of ampli- `fication in a system of the type described are provided l for each of the color-'signal components, a plurality of This, as deiV scribed in the patent just referred to, is a preferred type The amplifiers 130b 130a; 'andi130cfareindividual1yfcou pledf between the respective output circuits of the networlrA 280 the inverter 40 and the network. 28e, and theterminals 26b, 26a and 26e, respectively. The channel including the amplifier 130bis proportioned to have a gain of twice that of the channel including the amplifier 1304i. The channel ncludingthe amplier. 130e. is proportioned to have a. gain of` one andl one-half that et the channel including the amplifier 130b or three times that i the channel including the amplifier 130a.

Since the modulation components of the composite color wave signal have the phase relationship described above, only that signalY in quadrature withthe other twoV signals, need be. periodically reversed to effect the'` improved color reproduction which is` characteristic of the present invention. Therefore, theI delay networks 1324 and. 1321;,5 have common input, circuits' coupled to the outpur circuit of the generator' 31 andhave individual output circuits coupled to the equivalent of separate poles. of a switching circuit 133 which has the characteristics of a single-pole double-throw switch. The element in the switching circuit 133 equivalent to the-blade ofI a sin47 e-pole double-throw switch is coupled toa` control circuit in the detector 127e so` that the delay 132a and 13217, are alternately connected to the. control circuitin the, detector 127e.

The switching circuit 133 may.` comprise a simplifiedL fQrm oi' the switching circuit represented byr Fig. la, reqpiri'ng only two, gating. tubes, or may consist of a conventional. type of multivibrator circuitwhaating two stable operating conditions; individual onesof which.- connect one.. ofi the input circuitsfof. thedetector 127cm-individual ones of the delay lines 132a and 132b.

Since the signal applied tothe detector IZTcbears a quadraturerelationship to?thesignalsappliedA to the-,detector 2*721,v the delayl lines 132a and` 132bare,` respectively proportioned to clect a.9(l and.a27,0 phase shift. inthe signal.

Explanation: of operation: of system' of` Fig.l 3%

is controlled by the generator 31 tooperate ata prede-Y termined phase relationship with the n'iodl'llating4 means at tliev transmitter.. The derived component representing the green and'` red color-ditierence.components, specifically the signal' R-M isthen translated/through the. network 28a, through the amplifier 1'30b and'combinediwith the, brightness component on` the terminal. 265. Thecolor-dilerence component related" tov red` is phase inverted by the inverter 40 to develop thegreen colordiiference component, specifically: the signal G--M, and the latter is` translated through the amplifier 130m and combined with the brightness component` on the terminal 26a to develop the green color signal. Tlieswitching circuit 133, depending upon itscondition-oiY operation, mayA cause. the control signal developed in the-generator= 31 to be appliedto the inputcircuit of the-detector 127e` at'either a 90 or 270 phase relationshipwith respect to the signal. applied to the detector 27a. Regardless of the phase condition, the color-difference*componentrelating to the blue color, specifically thesignal'l-M.y is

derived inl the detector 127'c at plasecontrol1ed`bythe- In themanner described With.reference to theFig. lf embodiment, the switching circuit:` 133 is.controlled' ton` reverse;` the; phase. at.. which` the. detector 127e operates.

the transmitter.

12 with respect to the detector 27a` during alternate fields. Suclttoperationqis synchronous with a correspondingoperation at the. re'latcxl transmitter.

i Though the signal compositions of the right-angular vectors differ in the system of Fig. 3 from those of the related vectors inthe system of Fig. 1., the effect ofrnis phasing of the deriving means on the composition. of`

the derived signal is similar and the diminishing of the effect of the color-signal cross talk developed thereby is obtained by periodically changing the sequencein which theA col'orsign'alI components are derived.

The previous discussion with relation to the systems represented by Figs. 1 and 3 has indicated the advantages. of the invention in diminishing the effects of cross tal-k between the color-signal components. The present inventi'on has other advantages. The proper' phase rela-` tiorrshiptb'etween the combining means at the transmitter andi the deriving means at the receiver'm-ay be'. determined simply by making the delay characteristics of` the variousy timevd'elay networks `adjustable at least to a' small degree` and` then: adjusting the phasing of the' detectors to' de. velopthe maximum saturation of the reproduced colors, the previously encountered problem ot'.Y attempting to* adjust to correct hue being eliminated. Thus it has heeft describedhow any color errors caused by misphasing of the detectors may be canceled` out over the period of"` twof fiel-dsa. But the misphasing. of the detectors causesnot' only color errors but also some loss in signal: intensity as indicated.- by the Equations 5 and 7 above. If the phas-` ing` of a color-signal detector is` adjusted to develop a;` derived'` signal of maximum amplitude; the phasing o'rsuchx` detector is' automatically properly adjusted with relation l to: the corresponding phase. of: the combining meansaat by ascertaining that phasing of the deriving means the receiver which:4 will eiiect maximum saturation of the reproduced colors.

Whenusing a system such' as that described with reference to@` Fig. 3` the brightness; dicker occurring' om the adjacent. linesof theval'ternate fields and previously mem tionedV withY respect to the systemy of Fig. 1 will` besub stantially eliminated. As described in' th'elpatent referred` to; with respect tothe-Fig'. 3' embodiment,l one signal det.- veloped and transmitted relates primarilyv to` the: bright; ness of! an image; whileother signals relate primarilyJ mi the! chromaticityof! an image., The receiver in suchl asystem-isarranged and' proportioned so that the come' positefco'lor signaldoesnot aect the visual brightnessof:`

the reproducedi'rnage.` Therefore, since the` brightness:` is unaffected byl anychanges made withY rel'aticm to the color-signal components; the brightness on' the adjacent` scanning lines of areproduced image` docs not tend to? va-r-y in aa manner to cause flicker while the' chornaticity is alternately changedv on? these.` lines to` avoid the repro'-A duction of improper color;v

It' should also be noted that? the invention perin'itsrfthe relative phasingfof` the synchronousA detectors: tcnvarjt` somewhat. without causing; the appearance of i'niprop'cr.`

colors: inr thereproduced` image;- The periodic` changeAJ 1nfsequenceeffectively cancels out such' variations.I

v DescriptinfoffFgffemliadiinenrofinvention Figi 4. is acircuit` diagram of asignal-translating system ofthe type described with reference to Fig; 3 and alsof includes a more detailed representation of the manner quencyY sgnahappliedto the terminals-25;, 25 irxoludmtheI network ZEvfbut-does tnotwinelude an isolation: amplifier Therefore;A the present invention'alsoz provides-'a means. whereby color control cani be'` ele'cterll` theflatter being effectively included in the device 116. The output circuit of the network 23 is directly coupled to a control electrode of the cathode-ray tube in the .imagereproducing device 16. A parallel tuned circuit 77 resonant to a 2.5-4 megacycle band of frequencies and including an inductor 50 and a condenser 51 is coupled between the amplifier `and band-pass filter network 29 and apsemiconductor included in the synchronous detector circuit 27a. Modified vr-type filter networks are utilized for the networks 28a and 28e and comprise the load circuits for the corresponding semiconductors. These networks individually` include parallel-connected condensers and a resistor and have a series inductor coupled between related terminals of the condensers. The network 28a comprises the condensers 52a, 53a, the resistor 67a, and the linductor 54a yand the network 28C comprises similar elements.

Triode vacuum tubes are utilized as the amplifiers 130a, 1130b, and 130C, each including an anode load circuit. T he `anode load circuit of the tube 130a comprises a series connection of inductors 55a and 57a and a resistor 56a coupled between the anode of the triode 131m and a source of potential +B, by-pass condensers 78a and 79a being effectively connected between the terminals of the inductor 55a and ground. The anode load circuits of the tubes130b and 130C include similar arrangements of corresponding components. The condensersin the load circuitsare represented by dotted-line construction to indicate that they may be provided by physical components or stray or interelectrode capacitance. The anode load circuits of the tubes 13,0a and 130]: are arranged to effect translation of a band of signals through these ampliers at frequencies in the pass band of -1 rriegaeycle while the corresponding load circuit of the tube V130e is arranged to effect translation therethrough of frequencies inthe band of 0-0.5 megacycle. The output circuits of the amplifiers are individually connected through the terminals 26a, 26h, and 26C to individual ones ofthe cathodes in the cathode-ray tube of the imagereproducing device 16. As fully described in the article in'k the June 1950 issue of the RCA Review previously referred to, each of the beams emitted by each of the cathode's in -the device 16 is arranged to effect reproduction in the device of one of the basic colors of the reproduced image.

There isalso coupled to the network 77 a balanced parallel tuned circuit 58 comprising an inductor S9 and series-connected condensers 60 and 61, the common. connection of the latter being'grounded. The circuit 58 is arranged to provide a tuned circuit resonant at frequencies in the band of 2 5-4 megacycles and having signals'developed in the two portionsthereof 180 out oflphas'e with each other.- The inductor 59 is inductively coupled to the inductor 50 so as to effect a 90 phase shift between the signals in the circuit '77 and the circuit, 58.- Individual terminals of inductor 59 are coupled to individual ones of the gated amplifiers 135g and 13Sb, each of the latter including an inductive winding kcomprising individual portions of a biiilar winding 62, coupled between theV anode of the amplifier tube thereof and acornmon source of potential +B. The bilar winding 62 is untuned and is inductively coupled to a parallel-resonant circuit 63 including inductorY 64 and condenser 65 having band-pass characteristics similar to those of the circuit 77 -so that the signals developed in the circuit `63 are +90 out of phase with those in the circuit329the'phase polarity of the developed signals beingv determined by the units v135e `and 135b. The control circuits of the gated amplifiers 135e and 135b are coupled tothe terminals Z0, 20.

Thefcolor wave-signal generator 31 is .coupled to the anodes'of the semiconductors in the detector circuits 27a and l 127e through coupling condensers 66a and 66e respectively. In each of the detectorY circuits 27a and 127e coupled between a suitable source of potential +C and ground. Thus in the circuit 27a resistors 68116911 are connected in series between a source of +C potential and ground, the common terminal of the resistors 68a and 69a being connected to the common terminal of the condensers 52a and 53a. A similar voltage divider comprising resistors 68e and 69e is connected in a similar manner in the circuit 127e. the amplifier a'includes a voltage divider comprising resistors'70 and 71 connected between the source of potential +C and ground and also includes a signal by-passl condenser 72 connected betweenY the control electrode ofthe triode in the amplifier 130a and ground. The positive bias provided by the source of potential +C is proportioned to cancel out part of the negative bias developed lby the injected subcarrier across the detector load circuits.

'I'he arrangement of the amplifiers 130a and 1,30b

cathode-follower type, being coupled together -by the common cathode resistor 74. The latter is Vs'o proportioned asV to be approximately equal to the cathode input impedance of the amplifier 130ain order to 'give a gain of approximately one-half in the amplifier 130e with respect to` the amplifier 130b. Y v

The deflection windings inthe cathode-ray tube of the image-reproducing Ydevice are adapted to beconnected through the terminals 73, 73 to output terminals of ,suit- .able line-frequency and field-frequency generators of the*` type represented byjunits 18 and 19, respectively, in

Fig. 1.

Y Operation of Fig; 4`em-li0dimen't of invention Consideringnow the operation ofthe embodimentA represented by Fig.4, the composite video-frequency signal is applied to the terminals 25, 25 and the brightness component thereof is translated through the network 23 and applied to the intensity control electrode of the cathode-ray tube inthe image-reproducing device 16. The 2 5-4 megacycle portion of the signal applied to the terminals 25, 25, comprising the composite colorsignal component, is translated through the amplifier and band-pass filter network 29 and developed across the circuit 77v for lapplication to the cathode of the semiconductor in the detector circuit 27a. jected wave signal is applied to the anode of the detector 27a from the generator 31. These two signals corn-bine across the detector 27a tol develop a signal related to the 1 red color-signal component, specifically vR--M, across.v the load resistor 67a. V In this manner, the 0-71 -mega-l cycle portion ofthe derived color-signal component rey control electrode'of the triode in the amplifier 13 0b where-` in it is amplified and applied through the load circuit thereof to ithat cathodein the cathode-ray tube of the imagereproducing device 16 which is arranged to effect repro duction of the red color 1characteristic of the image.

"A portion of the signal amplified in the amplifier 1301i is developed across the resistor 74 in the cathode circuit thereof. Since the resistor 74 is proportioned to have an impedance approximately equal to that of the cathode input impedance of the triode of the'amplier 130e, one-half of the total amplified signal in the amplifierl-Sa is developedacross-the resistor 74 -and a signal having approximately one-half the amplitude of and being out of phase with the signalV in the output cirv cuit of the amplifier 130b is developed in the output cira source of bias lpotentialis provided by a Voltage divider 75 Cim Pf *he .mpme 1305" Th?. .latter Signal is then Also a biasing network for The locally 4inganarse applied to that cathode in the cathode-ray tube offthe. image-reproducing, device 16 which isarranged to. effect reproduction of the green color characteristic ot';` the image( i The coupling betweenthe circuit 58` and the circuit 17 causes an 90 outof-phase signal tobe: developed'` iu the circuit 58'. There are developedon the terminals ofthe inductor 59, with respect to ground; signalswhich areY 180 out of phase with each other and shifted 90' with respect to the signal applied tov the semicondnctorirrthe detector circuit 27a. The' latter signals are applied,` lie-1 spectively, to the gated amplifiers 13511Y and'. 135B,l Ort` every other field, as controlled byra signal* applied tor the" terminalsl 20, 20 in` the manner previouslydescribed, one or the other or? theA gated amplifiers .1:35a and 1351i con ducts` and thereby develops a signal in' a winding ofthe bifilar winding 62. The signal currents which erede'- veloped inl the windings of the bi'fllar windingtzlare shifted 90 with respect to the signals inthe circuit 29 and are alternately 180 out-ofV-phase on? alternate elds. Becausel of the type of couplingl employed, the' signalin the bilar winding 52 istranslated without phaseshift through the resonant circuit 63. and` applied tof the cathode of` the detector 127C. The functioning of the circuit including .the detector 127C, the network 28C, and' the am pliiier 130e is then similar to the functioning ofthe" circuit including the detector 27a, the network 28a, andthe" amplifier 130a and there is derived a signallrelated' toblue, specifically B--M. As a` result of the`Y operation ofthegated amplifiers 135aand 135?) individually on alternate fields, the signal developedY on the cathode of? device 16 coupled to theY terminal 26a, the electron beam developed by this cathode being arranged to effect reproductionl of thefblue color'characteristic ofv the image, is alternately derivedv 90 and 270 out of: phase with the derivation' of each of the signals developed-on the cathodes coupled to the terminals 26a and 26h respectively.

=lt is seen 4that the embodiment representedlby Fig. 4 has certain advantages over that of Fig. 3. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, simple but effective synchronous detector circuits are utilized; the amplifiers 13021, 1305, `and 130e are designed to utilize relatively few components; and the cathode-ray tube 16 is arrangedto effect isolation of the signals in the output circuits of the amplifiers 130g', 130]), and 130e while combining each thereof with the brightness signal in the output circuit'Y of the` unit 23 to reproduce the color ima-ge. There is anotherimportant difference between thek embodiments of Fi'gs. 3v and' 4. In the embodiment of Fig. 4 the composite color signal translated through the unit 29 is the signal that is delayed in phase as it is applied to the detector 127e, this delay being effected by the 90 and 180 phase-shifting characteristics of inductively coupled circuits, thereby eliminatin'g theA need for delay lines andv causing'the coupling circuits to perform two functions.

In describing the structure of the' iFig.,4` embodiment and explaining the operation thereof, it' has been stated that the alternate positioning of the component representative of blue is effected by means of the gated amplifiers 135a,and 135b operating on the composite color signal applied to the detector 127C. It should'b'e'undrstood that the 90 and 270 phase, positions ofthe component representative of blue can be obtained equalIy as well at other points in the channel arranged to` translate that component. Thus suitable phase-delay devices and gating amplifiers might be included in the outputcircuitof the detector 127e or of the amplifier 130C.

Description of color-television transmitter of v Figs. 5 and 6 with the alternating sequence at the receiver.A

mit'rer represented by Fig. 5 provides an arrangexnentitocomponents are derived", has been described above with@ effect such result for a system of which the' receiver ot' Fig. l is a' unit andzFig. 6 represents amodification ofthe` transmitter of Fig. .i5 for' usein systems of which the re ceivers of Figs. 3 and 4 areunits.- A system sueltas that* oil-lig. 5 might also-be used with4 receivers ofv the typesrepresented by Figs; 3 auditif suitable ntermixing ofthe video-frequencyy components occurred at the transmitter. However, fori purposes of` simplicity and clarity, Figi 6 will be described' as the type of transmitter foriunit's suolil as represented by Figs. 3 and 4'.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the transmitter represented4 therein comprises a signal-developing apparatus 89vwhich is arranged t'o develop color signals related to correspond@ ing colors of an image being televised and including brightness' infomation with relation thereto. The apparatus 80 may include television cameras` and related equipment conventionally used to develop color-signalS-of' the type described. Theequipment in the apparatus 8 0* utilized for timing theV operation of the cameras is also coupled to a color wave-signal' generator 81` and to aswitching circuit SZ to be described in more detail' hereinafter. Individual output circuitsV ofthe apparatus 8l? are coupled to individualones of the filter networks 83a', 33h, and 83e and are-collectively coupled to anadder circuit 84. Individual ones of the networks 832:; 83b and 83e are: coupled to synchronousmodulators85u, 85h, and 85e, respectively, the output circuits of which areindividually coupled to input circuits of a: continuation` adder circuit and 2.54 megacyclelter network 86 :A'he output circuit of the unit 86 Visvcou'pledto Vone'.irrputjcirecuit of another adder circuit 87 while the output of the unit 84 is coupled to anotherinput circuit thereof.

The output circuit of the unit 87 is coupled through au"` amplifier 88 to a signal-transmission apparatus 89; The apparatus 89 may be of conventional type including a, wave-signal modulation circuit and `means for radiating the modulated wave signal or simply an amplilier for, ap?. plying signals to a transmission line.

One output circuit of the generator 81 is coupledt themodulator 85a. Two other output circuits of the unit 81` are coupled through the delay networks 7,611 and 76o and the switching circuit 82 to individual ones of the' modulators `85h and 85C. The switching circuit SZ'm'ay -besimilar to that of Fig. la previously described. It is arranged alternately to connect the' output circuits of the delay lines 7Gb and 76C to input circuits of` the modif lators SSb and 85C so that the sequence in whichi the modulators 85h and 85h` operate with respect to the modulator 85a is reversed on every other field.

The adder circuits 84, 86, and 87 may be ofany con? ventionaltype, one form of an adder circuit being an' arrangementV of a plurality of pentode tubes, one for each signal to be added, having their anode circuits conf nected in parallel and having each of' the signals to be added applied to individual ones of the control electrodes` ofthe tubes.

h In the modification represented by Fig` 6, the'trans mitter is arranged to operate in a system wherein quadrature modulation of the subcarrier wave' signal is employed andthe other signal characteristics mentioned with-` reference to Figs. 3 and 4 are utilized. Similar units to those of Fig. 5 are designated by similar reference nufmerals and analogous units by similar reference numerals. with 100 added thereto. A phase inverter 94 including a signal isolation circuit is coupled to the outputcircuit .84c, the output circuits ofthe latter' being coupled, re-

spectively, to theV input circuits of the unitsY 83h" and 83a.

'17 outputrcircuit of'ethe 'generator T81 `is "coupled through the 'switching circut'182 andalter-nately through-one of the delay 4lines i176b and't176cto an input .circuit of the modulator 185b. The switching circuit 182-isfsimilar to that described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4.and is ari ranged to-couplei'the` signal kgenerated in thegenerator 81 `alternately through thedelay lines 176b and 176C to the Fig.,5,;co1or--wave-signals related to the basic color characteristics of Ha :televised;inage,speciiicallyf related to the colors-green,vred, and-blue fthereofyare developed `in the apparatus; 80; in :any conventional manner. These signals yare then individually applied to vthe :networks-83a, `83b, and 83e, translated .therethrough pand .individually 'applied tothe-'modulatorsLS-S, V8511, and 85e. Inthemodulators V.85a,85b, Aandf'tc, :the signals effectively modulate in a time-sequential TVmanner `at desired phase relationships the vWave signal applied :to the modulators by the generator 81: kThe sequence in'which :the signals related to Vthe green, red, and iblue colors of the image vnlo'dulate vthe wave signal is .determined'by the `condition of the switching Vcircuit 82 `inthe manner previously described with Vreference tothe eceiverioffFig. 1. The signal related to green modulatesth'efwave signal at 0 phase and the signals related tov red and blue alternately on every other` field modulate the wave signal at 120 and 240 phase points. The output 'signals ofthe-modulators 85a, 85 'b, and 85e are added in the'circuit 86 and the 2.5-'4 niegacycle portions `thereof are appliedito an input circuit of 1 the `adder f circ-'uit 87.

The individual color signals in the output circuit of 'the vapparatus rSti-arc :applied to the adder'circuit 84 wherein they are combined .to develop a signal `related to "the brightness ofthe televised image. This signalisdened Iby Equation l above. This signal is then applied to an l input circuit of the adder circuit 87 wherein it. combines with the composite coloi-signa1 componentapplied there to yfrom the unit 86 to. develop a composite video-frequency signal. The latter signal is then translated through the amplifier 88 and transmitted by means of apparatus 89 in -a conventional manner.- y Y Inthe modification represented by Fig. 6, 'thesig'nal representative of red is applied to the circuit 84b. that of blue to the circuit 84e, and signals representative of both green and red 'to the circuit 184. The signals in the net'- works v84fb and 84e: each have a negative brightness signal added Ithereto by means of the unit 94 to develop, 'respectively, RM and B-=M output signals which are translated, respectively, through the units83b and 83e. These signals then modulate the wave signal developed in the generator 81, respectively, in the' Vmodulators 185er and 118,511. rlhe R=M signal modulates the Wave 'signal inphase and the Bef-M signal modulates the Wave `signal alternately ,in every other field at .90 or 270 phasepoints by the operation ofthe switching circuit 182. Inthis Way the wave 'signalY is applied to the modulator 185C alternatelythroughthe delay lines 17627 and 176e. The signal developed in the output circuit of the unitr 184 is a monochrome signal representative of the` brightness of the image and having only green and red signal components. This signal is delined'by Equation 8 above.

Dscription'ufembodmizt af invention represented by Eig. 7 f

The previousernbodmenfs of the inventic-in havej prsenteda switching circuit by means of which` the time or phaseoffappliation of either the composite color signall or the locally gener-fated color v'vavevv signal toat least. one of the synchronous detectors is'- periodically c'hangedJay'Y predetermined -.aulounts.l When a` time-se-Y `i i8 Lcpientially' modulated vrwave fsignal including atleast iportions of Vboth "side bands thereof 1is heterodyned--ivith'a second -`harm'onicof the warte signal, another inodulatd kTwav'e signal having'the sameY mean frequency asthe r'stlmentioned yWavesignal-is developedand has afrequeny :spectrumwhich is inverted with "respect to that of4 tlie Y-irst=rnentiorie`dwave signal. For example, if a 3.5 rmegaseen that what previously 'had been the`lo`wer`side band of the wave signalis now theupper side Vband and the jpr'eviousupper'sid'e "band AisnoW-the lower side band. This reversalcf spectrum 'also eiects a reversal ofthe -phasefpositionn'g of the modulation signals onthe -developed wavef'signal "withrespectrto `those on the firstm'entioned wave `signal'. y-By Yadjusting tlefphasing'fjbtween the signals-tofbe heterodyned, at least fone 'of the modulation components onr the -rst-'mentioned wave signal and the developed Wavesignal related thereto canne made to occur in phase coincidence on the two Wave signals. -l

v.Previously "it has beenf shown With respect to `Fig. 1l`f, thatthesequence -of the modulation 'components should vbe periodically varied to practice thepresent invention. This'fimplies, `as lrepresented `by Figs. 2b and 2e, that-t least Yone component'of the modulation compnnts conftinuouslyoccurs at the samexfposition, that is, in phase coinciden'ce,;in ,eachY cycle and that vthe quadrature coin'- ponent ,is eiiectivelyreversed in sign.. :In lView of the eliects discussed in vthe previous paragraph, it is seen that the interchange' ofthe `other modulation "components may vbe effected by properly phasing thef'fundamental Wavesignal and a second harmonic thereof,` so that the 'one'component occurs in phase coincidence-on both the fundamental anddeveloped WaveY signals while the other components occur in interchanged positionson the two wavesignals. Then if the fundamental'wave signal and the developed W'ave signalare alternately'utilized for the translation of the modulation components; `the idesired periodicchange in sequence 'will be effected. Fig. 7 represents a portion of a receiver lfoi' utilizing such teaching to effect the desired results.

Referring nowv to Fig. 7,- "since theportion. of the receivei represented isrelat'edto a similar lpotion of the signal-translating 'system 15 'of the receiver of Fig. l; similar components arev designated by the same reference lnumerals --and related components bythe saine reference numerals with 200 addedthereto.y Theoutput circuit of the ampliiier 30 is coupled'throughtwo dilerelit channels to separate input circuits in the'switching circuit 2315; One' of these channels is represented by a conductor 90 and theother of the channels includes series-connected balanced modulator 91 and, a 2.5#45 megacycle iilte network '92..l The circuit of the switching circuit 233i,l which is arranged to be connected to either vof the 'sep' arate input circuits thereon. is coupled to individual input circuits of the synchronous detectors 227e 2271i",L and 227C. The color wave-signal generator 3l has ari output circuit coupled directly to an input circuit f the synchronous detector- 22761, coupled through the delay line 32a'to' 'an input circuity ofy the Idetectol` 227B and coupled throughu ai delay lineSZb to an input circuit of the detector 227e. The generator 31 also has coup d to an output cirit thereofv a' harmonic-frequency 'u tiel 93 proportioned to' amplify the' `second ha of the signal deve psd in tnevgiiiifpr n.ihis7 having an output cficuit coupledt input circuit yo the iiltl 91: Y Explanation ofk operationpf the portion 'of receiver of Csider'i new the explanation of aie' Operetten the portion* of' the receiver represented by Fig. "l, Lilie composite color signal in the output circuit of the ampli- 'er 30 having, as described with reference to Fig. l,

, frequencies between 2.5 and 4 megacycles, is applied over the conductor 90 to one circuit of the switching circuit 233. The composite color signal is also applled to the ,31 is assumed to have a frequency of 3.5 megacycles, a

V4type of signal frequently used, then the signal in the outfput circuit of the modulator is a modulated wave signal having a mean frequency of 7 megacycles and a de- ,veloped modulated wave signal of 3.5 megacycles having approximately 3-4.5 megacycle side bands. The latter -signal is translated through the 2.5-4.5 megacycle filter -network 92 and applied to another Vcircuit of the switchving circuit 233. The color wave-signal generator applies to the detectors 227a, 227b, 227e signals in proper phase -relationship to derive the color-signal components of the modulated wave signal applied thereto in a predeter- Jmined sequence.

Periodically, specifically on every other eld, the switching circuit 233 alternately couples the channel including the conductor 90 and the channel incuding the units 91 and 92 to input circuits of the detectors 227a, 227b, and 227C. When the channel including the conductor 90 is coupled to the detectors, the manner of operation thereof is conventional and the predetermined sequence of derived color-signal components occurs. When the channel including the modulator 91 and the lter network 92 is coupled to the input circuit of detectors 227a, .227b, and 227C, there is developed in the modulator 91 a modulated wave vsignal having twice the mean frequency of the conventional subcarrier wave signal. As previously described, this higher frequency wave signal includes a developed wave signal having the same frequency as the wave signal translated through the amplier 30 and having a frequency spectrum inverted with respect to the latter wave signal, resulting in an inverted sequence of the modulation components. When these components are derived in a predetermined order by the detectors 227a, 227b, and 227e, the difference in sequence in which the components occur on the two -wave signals results in a diierence in the sequence of ,the derived signals. Thus, the periodic change in sequence is effected by having the switching circuit 233 alternately couple on every other eld the signals translated over the channel including the conductor 90 and the signals translated over the channel including units 91 and 92 to input circuits of the detectors 227a, 227b, 227C.

A receiver including a signal-translatingsystem of the type described with reference to Fig. 7 may utilize any composite color signal having the modulation components thereof both in such a phase relation thereto that the synchronous detectors of the receiver are arranged to derive such components and having an alternating sequence of these components such that the switching circuit of the receiver properly derives the components. The transmitter of such a system is not required to develop the alternating sequence in a manner similar to that described with reference to Fig. 7, though, if desired, a transmitter may be arranged vto employ a signal-translating system similar to that of Fig. 7. It is believed that the necessary modifications `of either of the embodiments of Figs. 5 and 6 to produce a transmitter having a signal-translating system which functions in a manner complementary to that of the system of Fig. 7 re'obvious and no further description thereof will be presented herein.

I With respect to the embodiments of the invention considered herein, the description of each thereof has been simplified for purposes of clarityV by referring only to those components which are fundamental to Aeach arrange- 2o ment.' It"is to be understood'that other' components. additional and alternate to .those described, may be uti- Vlized. Also, wherever needed to equalize the time of translationof signals'overditferent paths, equalizing circuits should be employed.

The invention has been described herein with reference to the utilization of switching circuits that change Ythe sequence in ywhich the color-signal components are derived at a frequency related to the field frequency, specifically, on every other field. It is to be understood that the switching process can be related to the frame frequency or to the line frequency or to a dot frequency or even to an arbitrary unit composed of groups of lines or dots or both and need not be limited to operation at field `frequency as described. In fact, for purposes of ing sequence is operated at a V-ame frequency, it may be desirable to have the switching occur at a rate related to the scanning of a predetermined group of lines so that the switching frequency is increased.

There is another aspect of the invention that has not been considered in detail herein because -the structure required to obtain the results now to be discussed and to obtain the results previously considered is the same. In the inventors copending application Serial No. 190,186, tiled October 14, 1950, entitled Television Apparatus, there is described an apparatus for deriving the colorsignal components so that undesired interference patterns resulting from any intermodulation of the components or from other causes do not appear as bothersome effects in the reproduced image. That application teaches that the 'interference pattern should be caused to occur in the reproduced image in such a manner as to be of low visibility. This effect is produced by having the deriving means operated at such a frequency that the elemental areas of the interference patterns are displaced on adjacent lines in space. One form of the present invention teaches the diminishing of the effects of color errors by causing such errors to be of opposite sign on adjacent lines in space. With respect Vto such teaching, it is also seen that the present invention by having the sequence in which the modulation components are derived periodically changed inherently causes any interference patterns resulting from the color subcarrier wave signal to oscillate n a manner related to such periodicity. Thus a somewhat random occurrence of these interference patterns is effected resulting in a low visibility thereof and thereby effectively diminishing them in the reproduced image.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such vchanges and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a color-television receiver for translating a received subcarrier wave signal periodically modulated in different phase sequencies by color-signal components which are representative of the color characteristics of an image to be reproduced, a signal-translating system comprising: circuit means for supplying said modulated subcarrier wave signal; detecting means coupled to said supply circuit means for deriving from said modulated subcarrier wave signal signals individually related to said color-signal components; and means coupled to said detecting means for causing said detecting means to derive said related signals in .two phase sequences, whereby the color fidelity of the image to be reproduced is improved.

2. In a color-television receiver for translating a received subcarrier wave signal periodically modulated in different phase sequences by color-signal components which are representative ofthe color characteristics of an image, a signal-translating lsystem comprising: means Z1 for denying :from said ,mcd-ulated subcairiar- .wave Signal signals effectively .and individually related to said colorsignal components; means coupledto said deriving means for'maihtining its operation in substantially synchronous relation Iwitliand at substantially desired phase relations with said modulated subcarrier wave 4signal for causing said deriving means to derive said related signals in one phase'ysequefncej land a control device coupled to said deriving .means for recurrently causing said deriving meanselectively vto derive'said related signals in another phase sequence, whereby the color fidelity of an image reproduced from said related signals is improved.

3. In a color-television receiver for .translating a received subcarrier Wave signal each cycle of Iwhich is periodically modulated in different phase sequences by color-signal components which are representative of the color characteristics of an image, a signal-translating system comprising: a plurality of synchronous detectors for deriving from said modulated subcarrier wave signal signals effectively and individually related to said color-signal components; means coupled to each of said detectors arranged to maintain said detectors in substantially synchronous relation with and at substantially desired phase relations with said received subcarrier wave signal and for causing said detectors effectively to derive said related signals from substantially each cycle of said modulated subcarrier wave signal occurring during recurring intervals in one phase sequence; and a control device coupled to at least one of said detectors for recurrently causing said detectors to derive said related signals from substantially each cycle of said modulated subcarrier wave signal occurring during intervening intervals in another .phase sequence, whereby the color delity of an image reproduced from said related signals is improved over `a wide range of deviations from said desired phase relations of said `deriving means and said received subcarrier wave signal.

4. In a color-television transmitter, a signal-translating system comprising: means for developing a plurality of color signals individually representative of the color characteristics of an image; means for developing a subcarrier wave signal; and means coupled to said signal-developing means for modulating said subcarrier wave signal by cornponents of said color signals in two phase sequences.

5. A color-television transmitter comprising: means for developing a plurality of color signals individually representative of the color characteristics of an image; means for developing a subcarrier wave signal; means coupled to said signal-developing means for modulating substantially each cycle of said wave signal occurring during recurring intervals by components of each of said color signals in a iirst phase sequence; a control device coupled to said modulating means for periodically causing said components of said color signals to modulate substantially each cycle of said wave signal occurring during intervals intervening said recurring intervals in a second phase sequence; and means for translating said modulated subcarrier wave signal.

6. A color-television transmitter comprising: means for developing a plurality of color signals individually representative of the color characteristics of an image; a plurality of signal-translating channels coupled to said developing means for individually translating different ones of said color signals; means for generating a subcarrier wave signal; modulator means coupled to each of said.

,in aa second y:Phase Sequelici and: `Ineens for translating nclyding means Afor developinga plurality of color sig- -`nals*,individually representative of -the color character- SS-:Qf an image, means Ifor developing a ,subcarrier Wave sie al., AIngalls csupled t0 said signal-developing niggas fr modulating saidsubcarrieruave `sisnal'ln'v comlpfrlerlts of Said -cplor ,Signals in two Phase Sequences, @sans for' devlopinsa' Sgrial related .te the brightness of the image, "aiidieansmc'oupled" to Asaid modulating means and said brightness-signal developing means for transmitting said brightness signal and modulated subcarrier wave signal; and a receiver including circuit means for supplying said modulated subcarrier wave signal, detecting means coupled to said supply circuit means for deriving from said modulated subcarrier wave signal signals individually related to said color-signal components, and means coupled to said detecting means for causing said detecting means to derive said related signals in two phase sequences, circuit means for supplying said brightness signal, and color image-reproducing means responsive to said brightness signal and to said related signals for reproducing a color image, whereby the color fidelity of the reproduced image is improved.

8. A color-television system comprising: a transmitter including means for developing a plurality of color signals individually representative of the color characteristics of an image, means for developing a subcarrier wave signal, means for modulating substantially each cycle of said wave signal occurring during recurring intervals by components of each of said color signals in a iirst phase sequence, means for periodically causing said components of said color signals to modulate substantially each cycle of said wave signal occurring during intervals intervening said recurring intervals in yat least a second phase sequence, and means for translating said modulated subcarrier wave signal; and a receiver for said translated modulated subcarrier Wave signal including means for deriving therefrom signals eiectively and individually related to said color-signal components, means coupled to said deriving means for maintaining its operation in substantially synchronous relation with and at substantially desired phase relations with said modulated subcarrier wave signal and for causing said deriving means effectively to derive said related signals in one phase sequence related to said first phase sequence, and means for recurrently causing' said deriving means effectively to derive said related signals in another phase sequence related to said second phase sequence, whereby the color fidelity of an image reproduced from said related signals is improved over a wide range of deviations from said desired phase relations of said deriving means and said received subcarrier wave signal.

9. A color-television system comprising: a transmitter including means for developing a plurality of color signals individually representative of the color characteristics of an image, means for developing a subcarrier wave signal, means for modulating substantially each cycle of said wave signal occurring during recurring scanning iields by components of each of said color signals in a iirst phase sequence, means for periodically causing said components of said color signals to modulate substantially each cycle of said wave signal occurring during scanning fields intervening said recurring iields in at least a second phase sequence, and means for translating said modulated subcarrier wave signal; and a receiver for said translated modulated subcarrier wave signal including means for deriving therefrom signals eiectively and individually related to said color-signal components, means coupled to said deriving means for maintaining its operation in substantially synchronous relation with and at substantially desired phase relations with said modulated subcarrier wave signal and for causing said de- 'rivrig means eiectively to derive said related signals References Cited in the le of this patent A l UNITED STATES PATENTS Loughlin Dec. 11, 1956 Loughlin Dec. 11, 1956 OTHER REFERENCES Introduction to Color Television, Admiral Corp., Febduring said recurring fields in one phase sequence related to said lrst phase sequence, and means for recurrently causing said deriving means effectively to derive said related signals during said intervening fields in 5 another phase sequence related to said second phase sequence, whereby the color Iidelity of an image reproduced from said related signals is improved over a wide mary 1954, pages 11 to 16.

range of deviations from said desired phase relations of 4 A Six-Megacycle Compatible HighDenition Color said deriving means and said received subcarrier Wave 10 ATelevision System, R.C.A. Review, 1949, vol. X, pages signal. 504 to 524. 

